Meet a veteran who isn’t shy about going out & grabbing a couple free meals- it’s a proud thing:

Growing up in the 60s & 70s– veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.

People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.

These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.

I think it is strange that modern American culture sees veterans as separate & different from the rest of society.

Veteran’s parking spaces-

Some businesses are now setting aside parking for veterans. The designated spots we are talking about here are for all veterans– no requirement Re: earning the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, having any physical disability, etc.

There is no possibility that I would use one of these spots.

Meet some veterans who have become disgruntled Re: discount availability:

Hey school teachers– do you still teach lessons about the more meaningful Armistice Day?

This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas. The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.